Need help with an antique dagger

Hi!

I am new to this site and this is my first post. I hope I haven't posted this in the wrong category. I recently purchased this antique dagger and can't seem to find any similar daggers online to figure out its approximate age and where it was made. There are no visible maker's marks or stamps that I can see.

The blade has two grooves on each side which run the full length. The handle appears to be made of copper or bronze? and its got a ribbed grip. There is a small pin or nail on one side wedged between the blade and handle.

The dagger weighs 11 ozs and measures 18" in total length (4" handle, 14" blade).

I don't know anything about old daggers so any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!
-Lacey

 

Awesome. Thank you so much!!!

 

It looks like the blade and handle doesn't belong together.

 

http://swordscollection.blogspot.com/2012/02/french-infantry-gladius-briquet-1831.html

http://www.johnnyg.whsites.net/cws114.html


This is where you start looking.....just because of the handle....
The blade though....as you posted , does not give up much insight



For the moment....I can't agree with French Artillery or Civil War Short sword....without the required markings....or matching blade...

or even Swiss variation...

 

Just curious - why would you buy a dagger if you know nothing about them?

 

Thank you so much for the links, I'll check them out!

 

I have an Etsy store. I go shopping every weekend and buy anything that intrigues me, as long as it's the right price.

 

So this would be considered a short sword then and not a dagger?

 

for me...it's way too long.....Daggers are usually much smaller....shorter....


even this nice Bowie is only 12 1/4 inches....& that's a lotta knife !



this guy is 16 inches......big fighting knife....but he's no dagger !!!

 

lol Okay I see. Not a dagger. Thank you for clearing that up for me. I saw a few swords like mine advertised online (see below) as a French model 1831 artillery short sword. There's were unmarked as well and have identical blades. Is there any chance that some variation of these swords were not marked??

https://www.ebay.com/itm/202572986483?ul_noapp=true

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/french-model-1831-foot-artillery-14564114

 

well you found others at different sizes....and I find the double fuller to be unusual on an authentic sword.
No markings on these is likely a red flag....

 

Red flag... that is a reproduction?

 

red flag.....that it is not what it looks to be ! Not genuine !

also.....like Davey points out...the blade and handle do not match up.....
I would not like to swing this sword at someone who was trying to kill me with their sword......it might fly apart at the 1st meeting of the blades...

 

hahaha okay I gotcha. That's why I'm here, to learn the truth... good or bad. I paid $5 for it so it's no real loss. I thought the black area near the guard looked odd but I figured I'd gamble. So basically it's a Frankenstein mini sword of old parts?

 

I'm having trouble finding any examples of bayonets with 2 fullers. If this sword is a marriage of parts, which it seems to be... I'd still like to know what those individual parts are to satisfy my own curiosity.

 

well you found 2 similar swords.
the worthpoint one says un-sharpened blade that's loose in the handle.
The ebay one shows a blade i can only guess is a casting...



It's so much easier find authentic period swords like these , that to guess at who and when someone was making this double fuller variation.
I've gone as far as I can go ....to the best of my knowledge....

It may be time to show this item to a quality web site... like LionGate.... https://www.antiqueswords.com/product/BQ344/French-1831-Pattern-Artillery-Short-sword.html ... or other site that deals in authentic antique weapons...... for an expert opinion.

 

Okay will do. Thank you, I appreciate the help! You have all been wonderful!